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Wieters continues making steady progress

5/30/14: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters throws on the field prior to the game against the Astros as he hopes to avoid season-ending surgery

By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- Orioles catcher Matt Wieters threw on Tuesday for the third time since hitting the disabled list on May 11, and he continues to be encouraged with his rehab progress.

"We are trying to get to a point where we can really see where we are at," said Wieters, who made 30 throws from distances up to 100 feet on Tuesday. "Each day I have thrown I have gotten more strength and am able to do more throws before fatigue will set in."

Wieters, who is trying to avoid season-ending surgery on his right elbow, said he will stick with an every-other-day schedule at least for this week, and he didn't want to project anything beyond that.

"We are looking to keep trying to get stronger, keep trying to get longer," said Wieters, who will work up to 120 feet. "When it's ready, it's ready. And we will know when we get there. But right now, it's just about building strength."

Wieters hasn't played in a game for the Orioles since May 10 and last started at catcher on May 4. Since the biggest issue with the injury is throwing, he's concentrated on that progression and hasn't been taking any swings. Wieters had some soreness the first time out, which was to be expected, and both he and manager Buck Showalter said it's a "good soreness" and mostly from the previous inactivity.

Overall, the Orioles are cautiously optimistic with Wieters' progress.

"Anytime I feel like I can go further and feel better doing it is a good thing," he said. "Just going to keep trying to do that. The big thing at this point is to try to not have any setbacks and keep moving forward."